Thiry's three-run double gives Softball split with Wisconsin Lutheran

MEQUON, Wis. – After watching a four-run lead vanish in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two of a doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran College Tuesday, the Concordia University Wisconsin Softball team was in need of a big extra-innings hit. The Falcons received that hit from freshman Andrea Thiry as she roped a two-out, three-RBI double to allow CUW to split the twinbill with the Warriors.

The Falcons, who were the visitors in both games despite playing on their home field, dropped the first contest 5-2 before gaining the 9-6, nine-inning win in the nightcap. Thiry was 4-for-5 in game two with all three of her RBI coming on the game-winning double.

The game was in extra innings because of a four-run rally by the Warriors in the bottom of the seventh. Wisconsin Lutheran entered the inning trailing 6-2 but would tie the game up despite having just one ball leave the infield in the inning. WLC had runners on second and third still in the seventh, but reliever Melissa Perkins (Park Forest, Ill.) was able to get a groundout to send the game to extras.

In the eighth inning, both teams had runners in scoring position as Thiry was on second when the Falcons went away without a run. The Warriors had an even better chance to score the game-winning run as they loaded the bases with one out, but Perkins again was able to escape the jam, forcing the ninth inning.

Freshman Haley Spoerl (Salem, Wis.) started the ninth with a one-out single, but it looked as if the Warriors would hold CUW scoreless as the Falcons had just a runner on first and one out. Sophomore Carly Sobrilsky (Brookfield, Wis.) received what appeared to be the unintentional intentional walk and freshman Deidra Weinberger (Mayville, Wis.) singled to set the stage for Thiry. The freshman delivered the big bang with a line drive double to leftcenter, allowing the Falcons to gain a split.

Three other Falcons had multiple hits in game two, including Sobrilsky, who drove in three runs. Freshman Christine Sharon (Cornell, Mich.) was 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, while Spoerl added two hits. Freshman Jamie Reiser (Ingleside, Ill.) also doubled in the nightcap for CUW.

Perkins picked up the win after pitching 2.2 innings of relief. She allowed one unearned run in relief of starter Emily Brekke (Waterford, Wis.). Brekke struck out six and allowed three earned in 6.1 innings.

The opening game was a stunning 5-2 setback for the Falcons as they were kept in check by Warriors pitcher Sadie Schmidt. Schmidt, who was also the pitcher of record for Wisconsin Lutheran in game two, kept the Falcons off balance with good control and mixed the speed of her pitches well. She scattered six hits in a complete game effort.

Sobrilsky was the only one who seemed to figure Schmidt out in the opener as she had two of the Falcons six hits, both for extra bases. Sobrilsky roped a solo home run fifth inning and added a double down the leftfield line in the seventh.

Perkins took the loss in the opener despite throwing a complete game of her own. She struck out six batters and allowed seven hits in six innings of work.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday when they host Benedictine at the CUW Softball Field. First pitch is set for noon and live stats and audio will be available.